2006 Local/Regional Visitor Center Seminar in Colonial Williamsburg - March 23-24
Be sure to register by March 14 for the 2006 Visitor Center Seminar at the Woodlands Hotel & Suites in Colonial Williamsburg on March 23-24. Go to VATC.org for more information and to registration or contact Sandra Hicks at shicks@virginia.org or 804-545-5583.

Demos at Welcome Centers
Don't wait to book your demo for the summer season at your favorite Welcome Center. This is an effective way to market your destination and provide that up-close-and-personal contact that visitors love! Contact a Welcome Center near you: /consumer/directory.htm

"Bruce Almighty" Sequel To Be Filmed in Virginia This Spring
"Evan Almighty" starring Steve Carell and Morgan Freeman is set to start filming in late March in Crozet, Madison County, Richmond, and other locations. Set construction has already begun in Crozet. The production's location scout lives in Crozet, and the film's director is an alumnus of UVA. Mary Nelson, communications manager for the Virginia Film Office said, "Typically a movie that films on location leaves about 25-30 percent of its budget behind . . . so the impact is significant. If it's a $40 million movie, it could be a $10 million impact."

Meet Virginia and Win!
Industry partners interested in offering prizes for consideration in VTC promotions, please contact Julia Scott at jscott@virginia.org
VTC has successfully partnered with national magazines and industry partners over the last 1-2 years for promotions that have generated up to 30,000 leads.

Virginia Co-ops - New Designs
If you haven't seen the new co-op designs, visit the industry site to see a sample of the Beach creative and Native Dancer creative: /advertising/coopadprog/partneradvertising.htm
While you're there, be sure to check on deadlines for upcoming co-ops. If you are interested in marketing to the Meetings and Group Travel Market, take a look at Group Travel Leader, Convene and Group Tour magazines for some joint advertising possibilities.

Journeys of Passion
Looking for a creative way to market your overnight packages? Then sign up today to start marketing them through the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Journeys of Passion e-Marketing Co-op program. A great way to market your seasonal and value added product to a much larger audience of visitors interested in vacationing in Virginia. Deadline for the first quarter is approaching so contact Mary Lewis at mlewis@ebrainsinc.com or 804-231-7994 today.

Getaways Needed!
Getaways are being highlighted on Virginia.org. Whether from a previous FAM tour or existing brochures, help us give consumers the quick, interesting overview of your area they want, and drive traffic to your Virginia.org listings and to your area. Contact Sandy Westmoreland 804-545-5557 swestmoreland@virginia.org for examples, inquiries and submissions.

Merchandise of the Month

This handy umbrella features easy push-button opening, a matching handle and nylon sleeve, 42" arc and 36" spread. Folds to 16" length when closed.

Printed with 2-color "Virginia is for Lovers" logo on one panel. Color: White/Black. $14.

Go to the Virginia is for Lovers Shop to order.

Admin Tool Tip
Region and Locality
When entering your listing information, be sure to enter the region (for example, Central Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Heart of Appalachia) in the "Region Name" field. Also, put the locality of your destination in the "Locality" field (city or county). Visitors primarily do searches by locality and/or by region, so they will not find your listing if these fields are not completed. For questions, please contact Angela Wiggins at 804-545-5553 or awiggins@virginia.org.

If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of The Dashboard please contact Sandy Westmoreland at swestmoreland@virginia.org or 804-545-5557.

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Website Visitation
Through February 2006
UP 20% YTD

Virginia Welcome Center Visitation
Through January 2006
DOWN 2.1% YTD

Lodging Sales
Through Q2 2005
UP 1.9% over same period of 2004

Food Service
Through Q2 2005
UP 6.1% over same period of 2004

Car Rentals
Through January 2006
UP 3.4% over same period of 2005

Gas Sales
Through November 2005
DOWN 0.5% from the same period of 2004

Click to download the PDF for more...

Virginia Receives an "A" for Backcountry Riding by the IMBA

The International Mountain Bicycling Association gave Virginia the highest grade in their 2005 U.S. report based on information provided by online polls, biking advocates who work on trail accessibly and closure notification to other cyclists.

Pamplin Historical Park Receives Phoenix Award

Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier received the Society of American Travel Writers' 2005 Phoenix Award, which was presented at the Travel South Showcase in Richmond. All in all, Virginia has received a total of 19 SATW Phoenix Awards since the awards' inception in 1969 — more than any other state in the union! For more information about the award, visit: http://www.satw.org

Old City Cemetery Cookbook Wins Contest

"Food to Die For: A Book of Funeral Food, Tips & Tales", published by Southern Memorial Association for Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, was named National First Place Winner of the 16th Annual Tabasco® Community Cookbook Awards. For more information, visit: http://www.gravegarden.org/
cookbook.htm